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INSIDE
Adriano Biasella of the USC tennis team has romr r from his routs in Itah J 20
Student Newspaper of the University of Southern California Since 1912
Wednesday. February 11,2004
Vol. CXI V No 20
Some students scam on books
The Pertusati Bookstore says it knows some students buy books online and return them on campus.
By DANIEL BALLON
( (Hilributinft Writer
Some students on campus are taking advantage of the Pertusati Bookstore's return policy by buying textbooks online and returning them at the bookstore for a profit
F.verv semester during the add/drop period, the bookstore allows students to make exchanges and return books for full reimbursement
During this time students are allowed to return or exchange books for classes they add or drop, but the policy also creates a gray area when it comes to returns without a receipt
Some students buy textbooks online, usually for less than they cost in the bookstore, and then exchange them for a profit in the university bookstore during the buyback period for in-store credit
“I did it for a few books of my classes last semester." said Dave, a junior.
Dave requested that his name be withheld because of potential retnbu tion
"It's getting more common," he said.
The bookstore's return policy allows for returns without a receipt for instore credit during the add/drop period. During this time students are allowed to return and exchange books they bought for full reimbursement
Bookstore officials said they are aware of the potential for students to return books they did not buy at the bookstore.
"We have suspicions people do it but short of shutting it down for everyone there's nothing else we can l see Boofci page 1# I
Greek house now a dorm
Tornter fraternity house. Beta Theta Pi. was renovated and reopened this semester so it can house Spring adnnh
Daniel Van* I Daily Tio|an
Reconfiguration. The Portland Street House is one of the former fraternity houses being reclaimed by the university for student housing
By ANNA JEWETT
Contributing Writer
The Portland Street House, home to approximately 50 incoming spring admitted freshmen, opened its doors this semester to accommodate* tin* need for university housing
Jeff Urdahl. the director of hous mg services, said thr property has always belonged to I S(
After I S( and the housing < or poration. who lease the propert\ mutually, decided to clos* ie fr.iter nity house I S( reali/ed the < ould bei dine new housing I rdahl said
Its awesome said Sabrina MacGregor. an undedared freshman, about her new living arrangements The building, formerly the Beta
Theta Pi fraternity house w, down and later renovated la' mer
The Portland Street H< presently unaffiliated with tin system
While the house does rm any special interests it < r*\itr' dent lal »(immunity (nr tn« freshmen
Some students said th.it
I he students \>ere ..Is.. about the ( ondition ot tin h. they knew it had been < losed Most doubts, however, ha1 dissipated, students said
1 set* Houtln^
RELIGION AND ETHICS
Kabbalah enters the mainstream culture
It s mostly scholarship, learning altoul the mystical dimension of our reality and ritual I tract lies' -♦ -RABBI IX)V WAGNKK Chabad Jewish Center
Jewish mysticism gains popularity, but experts say many do not understand it
By SUMAYYA AHMAD
Staff Wrttrr
Kabbalah, also known as Jewish mysticism, has been gaining mainstream popularity in the past several years. It has attracted celebrities including Madonna. Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.
Kabbalah, a unique part of the Jewish faith, focuses on the spiritual aspects of Judaism.
However, many Jews argue that the popular media has misrepresented the true meaning of Kabbalah, which they say is a spiritually enriching part of the
Jewish faith
“It's not magical hocus poc us. It's mosdy scholarship, learning about the mystical dimension of our reality and ritual practices," said Rabbi Dov Wagner of Chabad Jewish Student Center.
"Kabbalah is not different from Judaism There are the basic traditions and then there is the spiritual meaning behind them.” he said
"Kituals and laws are the body of tile Jewish religion Kabbalah mysti cism, is tile soul within that body," he said
Wagner said Kabbalah allows Jews to get a deeper understanding and meaning of life
In order to get a true understand ing of the meaning of Kabbalah, a prac i see Kabbalah p<^e •
Macriei Clia* Dart> T'<*!*»
My*ttcl*m. Chava Frankiel. a freshman in psychology wears a Star ot David necklace and Hamsa eamng symbolic of Kabbalist passages to protect from 'ayin hara." or the 'evil eye
Resolutions Student Senate considered during its Feb. 10 meeting
Elections
A resolution to move $3,000 from the allocations reserve to the Elections and Recruitment committee to rent a server for this months Senate elections.
12-0
UC System
A resolution calling for Student Senate support of the University of California and its current endeavors during a time of fiscal crisis.
Passed 6-1-3
Stipends Change
A resolution to reduce the payment stipends of Senate officers and create a stipend payment of half a unit for senators. It also reduces the weekly office hours of the secretary and parliamentarian from six to four.
Passed ft-3-1
Funding Resolution
A resolution to allocate the remaining unallocated funds left over from the previous Senate administrations. The P.A.LM. account would receive $3,549.90 for the 2004-2005 year, the Leadership Fund Board would receive $3,549.88 for this semester and the Philanthropy Fund would receive $7,099.76 for this semester
Passed 9-2-1
INDEX
Students declare the five worst places on campus, including where to eat. 7 Trains are making strides in Los Angeles and California. 4
New* Digest._______2' Upcoming------2
Opinions_____ ....* Sporu.......—M
Uwufted«—.....-12 UfeayW------7
WEATHER
Today: Sunny. High of 74. low of 4$.
Tomorrow: High 73. low 46.

INSIDE
Adriano Biasella of the USC tennis team has romr r from his routs in Itah J 20
Student Newspaper of the University of Southern California Since 1912
Wednesday. February 11,2004
Vol. CXI V No 20
Some students scam on books
The Pertusati Bookstore says it knows some students buy books online and return them on campus.
By DANIEL BALLON
( (Hilributinft Writer
Some students on campus are taking advantage of the Pertusati Bookstore's return policy by buying textbooks online and returning them at the bookstore for a profit
F.verv semester during the add/drop period, the bookstore allows students to make exchanges and return books for full reimbursement
During this time students are allowed to return or exchange books for classes they add or drop, but the policy also creates a gray area when it comes to returns without a receipt
Some students buy textbooks online, usually for less than they cost in the bookstore, and then exchange them for a profit in the university bookstore during the buyback period for in-store credit
“I did it for a few books of my classes last semester." said Dave, a junior.
Dave requested that his name be withheld because of potential retnbu tion
"It's getting more common," he said.
The bookstore's return policy allows for returns without a receipt for instore credit during the add/drop period. During this time students are allowed to return and exchange books they bought for full reimbursement
Bookstore officials said they are aware of the potential for students to return books they did not buy at the bookstore.
"We have suspicions people do it but short of shutting it down for everyone there's nothing else we can l see Boofci page 1# I
Greek house now a dorm
Tornter fraternity house. Beta Theta Pi. was renovated and reopened this semester so it can house Spring adnnh
Daniel Van* I Daily Tio|an
Reconfiguration. The Portland Street House is one of the former fraternity houses being reclaimed by the university for student housing
By ANNA JEWETT
Contributing Writer
The Portland Street House, home to approximately 50 incoming spring admitted freshmen, opened its doors this semester to accommodate* tin* need for university housing
Jeff Urdahl. the director of hous mg services, said thr property has always belonged to I S(
After I S( and the housing < or poration. who lease the propert\ mutually, decided to clos* ie fr.iter nity house I S( reali/ed the < ould bei dine new housing I rdahl said
Its awesome said Sabrina MacGregor. an undedared freshman, about her new living arrangements The building, formerly the Beta
Theta Pi fraternity house w, down and later renovated la' mer
The Portland Street H< presently unaffiliated with tin system
While the house does rm any special interests it < r*\itr' dent lal »(immunity (nr tn« freshmen
Some students said th.it
I he students \>ere ..Is.. about the ( ondition ot tin h. they knew it had been < losed Most doubts, however, ha1 dissipated, students said
1 set* Houtln^
RELIGION AND ETHICS
Kabbalah enters the mainstream culture
It s mostly scholarship, learning altoul the mystical dimension of our reality and ritual I tract lies' -♦ -RABBI IX)V WAGNKK Chabad Jewish Center
Jewish mysticism gains popularity, but experts say many do not understand it
By SUMAYYA AHMAD
Staff Wrttrr
Kabbalah, also known as Jewish mysticism, has been gaining mainstream popularity in the past several years. It has attracted celebrities including Madonna. Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.
Kabbalah, a unique part of the Jewish faith, focuses on the spiritual aspects of Judaism.
However, many Jews argue that the popular media has misrepresented the true meaning of Kabbalah, which they say is a spiritually enriching part of the
Jewish faith
“It's not magical hocus poc us. It's mosdy scholarship, learning about the mystical dimension of our reality and ritual practices," said Rabbi Dov Wagner of Chabad Jewish Student Center.
"Kabbalah is not different from Judaism There are the basic traditions and then there is the spiritual meaning behind them.” he said
"Kituals and laws are the body of tile Jewish religion Kabbalah mysti cism, is tile soul within that body," he said
Wagner said Kabbalah allows Jews to get a deeper understanding and meaning of life
In order to get a true understand ing of the meaning of Kabbalah, a prac i see Kabbalah p T'